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Footwear with improved tightening of the upper

a technology of lace tightening and upper, which is applied in the direction of shoe lace fastening, footwear, fastening, etc., can solve the problems of not always properly supporting the foot, insufficient support, and insufficient support, so as to improve the performance of the lace tightening device, improve the distribution of tension, and improve the retention of the user's foot

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-03-29
SALOMON SA
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The invention improves upon the retention of the user's foot within an article of footwear, such as a shoe or a boot. More particularly, the invention improves the distribution of tensions in a lace tightening device. Moreover, the invention improves the performance of a lace tightening device during static and / or dynamic use.
[0015] Rather than extending from one quarter to the other as is the case in the prior art, a lace strand extends alternately from one connecting point to one connector between two strands. Thus, the length of the strand that rubs on the upper is reduced. Moreover, because it enables the sliding of at least one of the strands, the connector is enabled to move slightly with respect to the strand during the walking cycle. The connector is also able to move with respect to the upper. Consequently, the tensions are balanced between the strands and within the strands. The connector is located where the tensions of the strands are balanced. This place is movable during the walking cycle. The sliding of the connector also makes it possible to better adapt to the various foot morphologies.
[0016] A resulting advantage is that the tightening of the upper and, therefore, the tightening of the foot, is more uniform. The uniformity is maintained statically, if the user is standing still, for example, as well as dynamically, that is, while walking or running. The distribution of tensions in the lace tightening device is thus improved.

Problems solved by technology

A first problem to be resolved by a good tightening device lies in adapting to various foot morphologies and in achieving comfort, that is, support without excessive pressure.
Another problem involves maintaining the tightening comfort during use of the shoe, i.e., during walking or running.
However, it has been observed that the foot is not always properly supported, in the sense that this support is not sufficiently uniform along the shoe.
The walking cycle is so fast that there is not enough time for the tensions in the lacing to balance completely.
Thus, disparities remain in the distribution of the tightening of the upper of the shoe.

Method used

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  • Footwear with improved tightening of the upper
  • Footwear with improved tightening of the upper
  • Footwear with improved tightening of the upper

Examples

Experimental program
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first embodiment

[0029] The first embodiment described hereinafter relates more specifically to shoes for walking, or for flat or mountain running. However, the invention applies to other fields, such as those mentioned above.

[0030] The first embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, a running shoe is provided to receive the user's foot.

[0032] As is known, the shoe 1 includes a walking sole 2 and an upper 3. The shoe 1 extends lengthwise between a rear end or heel 4 and a front end or tip 5, and widthwise between a lateral side 6 and a medial side 7.

[0033] As shown, the upper 3 includes a low portion 10 provided to surround the foot, with no top portion, i.e., no portion extending along the lower leg. However, the upper could be provided also to include a top portion.

[0034] The shoe 1 is structured so as to allow for a good foot rolling movement when walking, transmissions of sensory information, and impulses for supports or receptions. For these reasons, the...

third embodiment

[0067] The third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0068] As in the first embodiment, a shoe 91 in this embodiment has a walking sole 92, an upper 93, a heel 94, a tip 95, a lateral side 96, and a medial side 97.

[0069] The shoe 91 also includes a low portion 100, a top portion 101, a lateral quarter 102, a medial quarter 103, and a tongue 104.

[0070] The shoe 91 further includes a first tightening device 110. This device, similar to that of the first embodiment, has a first lateral lace strand 111, as well as a first fastener 112 and three keepers 113, 114, 115. The tightening device 110 also includes a first medial lace strand 121, as well as a first fastener 122 and a keeper 123. The tightening device 110 further includes a second medial lace strand 131, as well as a first fastener 132 and a keeper 133.

[0071] The first tightening device 110 also includes three connectors 140, 141, 142 for connecting the strands to one another.

[0072] Unlike the first embodiment of the inventi...

fourth embodiment

[0081] The fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. 7.

[0082] As in the third embodiment, the boot 181 has a first tightening device 182 and a second tightening device 183. The particularity of this shoe 181 is that the upper is a high upper, i.e., having a low upper portion 184 and a high upper portion 185. Keepers 186 are arranged on the high portion 185 to extend the range of action of the first tightening device 182.

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Abstract

An article of footwear including a sole and an upper, a lateral quarter and a medial quarter. A device for tightening the upper includes a first lateral lace strand and at least two points for connecting the first lateral strand to the lateral quarter, as well as a first medial lace strand and at least two points for connecting the first medial strand to the medial quarter. Each lateral or medial strand includes a lateral intermediate portion or a medial intermediate portion, respectively, which extends between two connecting points of the same lateral or medial quarter, without being guided by a connecting point of the other lateral or medial quarter, a connector connecting the lateral and medial intermediate portions of the lateral and medial strands, respectively, the connector enabling the sliding of at least one of the lateral and medial strands.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of French Patent Application No. 05.09919, filed on Sep. 28, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to an article of footwear, such as a shoe, particularly a sports shoe, and more particularly a shoe adapted for running, race walking, or other athletic activities. [0004] Articles of footwear of the aforementioned type can be used in fields such as walking or flat or mountain racing, hiking, or snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing, roller skating, skateboarding, cycling, ball-playing sports, or the like. [0005] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information [0006] An article of footwear can have a low upper or a high upper. Footwear can also be relatively flexible or, on the contrary, they can be more rigid. However, the wearer's foot, in any...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A43C11/00
CPCY10T24/3705A43C1/04
Inventor FARYS, YVES
Owner SALOMON SA
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